2024 Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival Events [LIST]

The Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival will be here before you know it! Here are all the events on the official 2024 schedule that were announced on or before March 29th:

Freedom FEASTival

• Friday, May 3rd from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Greene Square Park, Downtown Cedar Rapids
• "...attendees will explore a celebration of local culinary delights from food trucks and community vendors"
• Admission is free

Medallion Hunt

• Monday, May 20th through Wednesday, May 29th
• Area parks and walking trails
• "Get OUT and explore the area’s parks and walking trails (safely) while searching for this year’s Medallion (a 4 inch acrylic disc imprinted with the modified 2024 Festival Logo). $500 (Hy-Vee Gift Card) is on the line for one lucky winner, courtesy of Ohnward Bank & Trust!! Clues will be released – one per day – until the Medallion has been found!"

Cardboard Boat Regatta

• Saturday, June 8th from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Ellis Park, Cedar Rapids
• "...this unique competition challenges teams to construct seaworthy vessels entirely out of cardboard and approved materials. With creativity and craftsmanship on full display, participants navigate the course, hoping to outmaneuver their rivals and cross the finish line victorious."
• Registration is $40 per team - register online HERE
• Event is free to attend

Tribute to Heroes Breakfast

• Friday, June 14th from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.
• Veterans Memorial Building, Downtown Cedar Rapids
• "The Cedar Rapids Freedom Festivals Tribute to Heroes is an annual event that embodies the spirit of gratitude and honor towards those in our community who have lived a life of service. A “Hero” is a person who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities. This recognition extends to individuals who have made an impact in Cedar Rapids and the surrounding areas."
• Tickets are $35 per person - purchase them HERE

Freedom Festival Flag Raising Ceremony

• Friday, June 14th from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
• Outside of the Veteran’s Memorial Building, Downtown Cedar Rapids

Army Band Concert

• Sunday, June 16th from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Lowe Park, Marion
• "Bring along your lawn chairs, a soft-sided cooler with refreshments, and the entire family for a night of dancing and memories!"
• Event is free

Rock N Bowl

• Wednesday, June 19th from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Spare Time, Cedar Rapids
• "The Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival is proud to offer this event for people with disabilities, their friends, and family to enjoy time together. Now in its 9th year, the festivities are set to unfold with a day of complimentary bowling at SpareTime, where we've secured the exclusive Elite Suite for our guests with 12 lanes available this year!"
• Freedom Festival Button required

Balloon Glow

• Saturday, June 22nd from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• Jones Park Cedar Rapids
• Includes the Bohemian Betty Flea Market from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. and the Volta Youth Music and Arts Festival from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• BirdChild performs at 7 p.m.
• Balloons will glow at dusk
• Freedom Festival Button required

Freedom Bike Ride

• Sunday, June 23rd - long ride at 9:30 a.m., short ride at 10:30 a.m.
• City Park, Ely
• Registration is $25 per person - register HERE
• Family Fun Day & Ride from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. - event is free

DockDogs

• Let's Try DockDogs
  • Thursday, June 27th from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Registration is $20 - register HERE
• Dueling Dogs
  • Friday, June 28th from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Freedom Festival Button required
• DockDogs
  • Saturday, June 29th from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Sunday, June 30th from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Family Day)
  • Freedom Festival Button required
• Kingston Stadium, Cedar Rapids
• "DockDogs consists of three main aquatic events: big air, extreme vertical, and speed retrieval."

Parade

• Saturday, June 29th at 10 a.m.
• Downtown Cedar Rapids
• 2024 Theme: Celebrating 175 years of Cedar Rapids
• Register a parade entry HERE
• Event is free to attend

Imagination Square

• Saturday, June 29th from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Greene Square Park, Downtown Cedar Rapids
• "This event provides FREE family-friendly, educational interactive booths, hands-on activities, fan favorites like a bouncy house, face painting, the Freedom Festival trackless train rides, and freebies from area businesses and organizations!"

Pancake Breakfast

• Thursday, July 4th from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• ImOn Ice Arena, Cedar Rapids
• Includes pancakes, sausage links, bananas, granola bars, and orange juice
• Meals are $10 each or $5 with a Freedom Festival Button

Car Show

• Thursday, July 4th from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
• ImOn Ice Arena Parking Lot, Cedar Rapids
• Registration is $15 - register a vehicle HERE
• Event is free to attend

Celebration of Freedom Concert & Celebration of Freedom Fireworks

• Thursday, July 4th from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• McGrath Amphitheatre, Cedar Rapids
• Featuring Alisabeth Von Presley at 7 p.m. - opener TBA
• Includes food & drink vendors and a kids fun zone
• Freedom Festival Button required
• Fireworks begin at "dark"

For the latest updates and more information on the 2024 Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival, check out the official website HERE.